Bowling pin pickup apparatus



7 Sheets-Sheet 1 G. A. MONTOOTH BOWLING PIN PICKUP APPARATUS Nov. 4, 1952 Filed June 6, 1947 31/612 for. Gaye/ Mon foafk Nov. 4, 1952 G. A. M'ONTOOTH BOWLING PIN PICKUP APPARATUS 7 Sheet-Sheet 3 Filed June 6. 194'? M vm wk Nov. 4, 1952 G. A. MONTOOTH 2,616,750

' BOWLING PIN-PICKUP APPARATUS Filed June 6. 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 (g? Q2 /.'../Z lorr y- Nov. 4, 1952 G. A. MONTOOTH 2,6 ,750

BOWLING PIN PICKUP APPARATUS Filed June 6, 1947 r 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOWLING PIN PICKUP APPARATUS George A. MOllliGOth, Long Beach, calm, assignor to The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 6, 1947, Serial No. 752,896

12 Claims.

Another object is to provide a mechanism for picking up standing pins, such mechanism comprising a vertically movable irame having a vertical central opening therethrough, through which a pin may be set on the alley bed, and having two pairs of horizontally extending pickup bars, the bars of each pair being in an inoperative withdrawn position and extending substantially at a right angle to each other which constitutes a normal position, and means for causing said bars to revolve toward each other with a scissorslike action to an operative position wherein they straddle the neck of the standing pin.

Another object is to provide a pickup mechanism having a vertically movable frame having a vertical central opening therethrough, through which a pin may be set on the alley bed, a closure in said opening, said closure being vertically movable relative to said frame, operable to clamp a standing pin to the alley bed and movable to an out of the .way position, said closure being operable when actuated by a clamped pinto cause said bars to revolve toward each other with a scissors-like action to straddle the neck of the clamped pin.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in such a pickup mechanism, gear and rack means for mounting said closure on said frame for, Ver-' tical movement relative thereto.

Another object is to provide in a pickup mecha nism having at least two pivotally mounted pickup bars, pin actuatedmeans for causin said bars to revolve toward each other to straddle the neck of astanding pin, such means comprising a rotatably mounted tube having a spiral slot therein and. having one of ;said pickup bars mounted thereon, a second tube rotatably mounted within said first tube, saidsecond tube having another of said barsmounted thereon and having areversespiral slot therein, an actuating member extending through the spiral slots in said tubes, and pin actuated means for causingsaid-actuating member to move upward with respect'to'said vention, with parts broken away to show the underlying structure; a

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus of Fig. 1 along theline 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the apparatus of Fig.1 taken at right angles to Fig. along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section along the line 5--5 of Fig. 1, showing the latching mechanism amng the line 4 4 used to retain the apparatus in pin grasping position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section along the line 6 6,of Fig. 1, showing in-detail the mounting of the pickup bars;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view-ofthe apparatus showing its position at the time it first contacts a standing pin; 7

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus with the. pickup bars at an intermediate point in the process of grasping a standing pin; and

N Fig. :9 is a perspective view of the apparatus with a pin grasped and lifted from the alley bed.

While my invention is susceptible of embodiment in many difierent forms, I have shown in the drawingsand Will herein describe in detail one specific embodiment, with the'understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an ex'emplification'of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. s a

In thev drawings only one of my improved pickup units is'illustrated, it being understood that in a bowling machine there would be ten of these units mounted upon a common grid frame or structure 20 in a triangular pattern coinciding with the pin spots on a'bowling'alley bed. This grid structure 20 is vertically movable above 'said alley. bed, and may be of the type illustrated and described in more detailin the copending application otGeorge A. lVlonto'oth and Albert M. Bowen filed March 26,f; 19l6, Serial Number 67=,238,- and in; my 'cQpending application for Pinsetting Machines" filed :March 24, 1947,

Serial Number 736,643, and a similar grid structure is shown in the copending application of Jack Van Horn Whipple and Albert L. Odmark for Bowling Pin Setters filed March 24, 1947, Serial Number 736,682. The grid structure 20 is driven by apparatus not shown here, but which may be the same as illustrated and described in the above mentioned applications.

The purpose of providing ten indivdual pickup units similar to the single pickup unit illustrated is to make it possible to remove one or.

more of the units from the common grid frame or structure to make repairs and replacements easily and in a minimum of time. Furthermore by making use of self-actuating individual units, only those pickup units which come into contact with standing pins are actuated, thus eliminating unnecessary wear on units which are not operable to pick up standing pins during a given pickup operation, and eliminating unnecessary inter-connecting mechanisms;

Referring more. particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each pickup unit consists of a rectangular framemounted in an opening in the grid frame or structure 20. Each of said frames is made up of a substantially rectangular top plate 2| and a, substantially rectangular bottom plate 22 spaced apart and held in place by four spacing rods 23, 24, 25 and 26. The top plate 2| is cut away in its center along the line 2m to permit pins to be set through the apparatus in the manner illustrated in the. aforementioned Montooth, and Whipple and Odmark applications, and thevbottom plate 22 is also cut away in its center along the line 22a so that pins may be set through the unit.

A closure is mounted within the vertical central opening through said frame, this closure comprising a substantially rectangular pressure plate which also has a central portion out out along the line 3011.. Within the cut out portion area pair of doors 3m and 31b, hingedly mounted by means of spring loaded hinges 32 and 33 so that said doors are retained in the horizontal position of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and may swing downwardly to :admit the passage of a pin during the pin setting operation, but are prevented from swinging upwardly beyond the horizontal position shown, by contact with the bottom surface of the pressure plate 3.0. Said doors act to clamp a standing pin upon the alley bed, and a cushion of rubber or other resilient material is affixed to the bottom of each of the doors as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 at 340. and 34b.

The entire closure assembly is mounted for relative movement withrespect to the frame. To permit this movementa plurality of racks 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35c and 35 are mounted upon the pressure plate 30, and cooperating gears 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36c and 36 are carried by the frame, each of said gears being suspended from the top plate 2| by means of one of the brackets 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31c and 31f, and each of said gears engaging one of the racks. oppositely facing pairs of gears are interconnected on three sides of the structure by shafts 369 so that the pressure 1 plate 30 is always retained in a horizontal position with respect to the frame. The weight of the closure maintains the closure apparatus down in the relative position of Figs. 2, 3 and 7 andwhen the supporting grid structure 20 is driven downwardly the trap doors 3la and 31b in the closure engage the head of a pin 21 standing on the alley bed either on or off its normal spot 28 (Figs. '7, 8, 9) on the alley bed 29. As

the grid 20 carrying the frame continues to move downwardly, the closure is held by the head of the clamped pin against further downward movement, thereby moving upwardly with respect to the frame. An actuating ring 40 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) is carried on the frame in a manner to be hereafter described, and is spaced above the pressure'plate 30, as shown in Fig. 7. When the pressure platemoves upwardly with respect to the frame a short distance it contacts such actuating ring and moves said ring upwardly with respect to the frame.

A pair of outer tubes Ma and Mb are mounted between the upper and lower plates adjacent opposite corners of the frame, and within each of these outer tubes is an inner tube 42a and 42b respectively. Both inner and other tubes are rotatably mounted between said upper and lower plates 2| and 22, each inner tube carrying at its ends peg bearings 43, the upper of each of these peg bearings being journaled into a bearing collar 44 carried by the plate 2!, and the lower of each. of said peg bearing-s being jour-. naled into a bearing plate 45 carried by the.

plate 22, as shown in Fig. 4. The outer tubes Ma and Mb are rotatably mounted on their respec-v tive inner tubes 42a and 42b.

Thus it willbe seen that the outer and inner tubes M and 42 are rotatable with respect to the frame and with respect to each other. The outer tubes Ma and Mb each have a spiral slot Ma and Mb therein, and each of the inner tubes has a spiral slot 42a and 42b respectively therein which are inclined in a direction. opposite or reverse to the inclination of slots Ma and Mb, each of these slots having a straight or vertical upper portion Ma", Mb" and 42a", 42b".

The actuating ring I4!) is slidable on each of the outer tubes Ma and Mb and said ring carries a collar 48 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) surrounding each of the outer tubes M. Within an enclosure between each collar 46 and the ring 40 an actuating member 41 is movably enclosed, each of these actuating members comprising a pin, one of which extends through the slots in each pair of tubes Ma, 42a, and Mb, 42b. It will be obvious that as the pressure plate 39 causes the actuating ring 40- to slide upwardly on the tubes Ma and Mb, "the actuating pins 41 will cause the inner and outer tubes M and 42 of each pair to rotate in opposite directions, since the spiral slot on the outer tubes Ma and Mb turns to the right while the spiral sloton the inner tubes 42a and 42b .turns to the left. The spiral slots are so arranged that each of the tubes rotates through an angle of 45'degrees, or a total of .90 degrees for each pair 01 tubes, and the straight or vertical upper portion of each of said slots allows for overtravel without any of the tubes rotating through more than a 45 degree angle.

Two pairs of pickup barsSBa, 50b and 58c, 50d are provided, one of said -bars being carried by each of the inner and outer tubes. These pickup bars extend horizontally in. the vertical central opening in the frame and are mounted on the respective tubes as shown best in Fig. 6. Thus each of the outer tubes. M carries a pickup bar. 50 on a' bracket 5!, and eachof the inner tubes 42 carriesanother pickupv bar mounted below the baron the outer tube on another bracket 5| the pickup bars of each .pairbeing movable about a common axis and arranged so that they extend substantially at a rightangle to each other along the outer edges of the bottom plate 22 when they are in. an inoperative withdrawn position. Consequently when the tubes 4| and 42 rotate as above described, the pickup bars of each pair revolve with a scissors-like movement from their withdrawn or right angle position to an operative or parallel position, and since the pickup bars are spaced apart at their mounting end a distance slightly greater than the width of the neck of a bowling pin, as the bars move they will straddle the neck of the standing pin'which is clamped to the alley bed by trap doors 3 la and 3|b above described. The term straddle is being used herein to indicate. the operative position of each pair of pickup bars adjacent the neck of the'standing pin and on opposite sides thereof regardless of whether one or both of'said pickup bars contact the neck of the pin. Since the inner and outer tubes Ma, Mb, 42a and'42b are 'rotatably mounted-onthe frame and since the actuating pins 41 .are movably held between the'actuating ring M1 and the collars 45, the pickup bars of each pair will swing into any position required to straddle the neck of a pin regardless of'whether the pin is on its normal spot on the alleybed or is shiftedtherefrom as shown in Figure'7. Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of, the range of-movementof such pickup bars. The straight portions Ma, Mb", 42a. and 42b of the respective spiral slots in each of the tubes allows, for an'over-travelof pin 41 for latching and-holding the pins and also compensatesfor any-variation in-the height of the pins.

It will be seen from the foregoing that each pair of bars will independently straddle the pin and will clamp and move the pin up from the alley bed; upon upward movement of the frame. Each pair ofbars constitutes an operative pin pickup devicefor a pin which is located within an area of the alley bed which is determined by the effective pin engaging length of the bars, and to provide-amaximum pin pickup area two pairs of bars maybe used.

Fig. 5 shows a latching device to hold the apparatus in clamped position while the pins are lifted from the alley bed, there being two of these latching devices in opposite corners of the frame. Each latching devicecomprises a latch member iflwhichis attached to a bracket 6 I, said bracket being. secured to a strap 61a which is fastened to one of the actuating collars 46 and the actuatingring 40 by means of. screws 62. This latch may be of the same type described and illustrated in the Montooth and Bowen application above referred to, thelatch member 60 being slidably retainedin a notch Bjlabymeansof a pin 63 and and movable between a terminal latching position and a terminal unlatching position, this movement being aided by an over-center spring I. which is attached at one end to the latch "ember 60 bymeans of a pin 65 and is attached at the other endtothe bracket 6| by means of apin 6B. As described in the above mentioned application the latch is adapted to become engaged and disengaged alternately, so that when the. latch membermoves up with respect to the frame when the bowling pin 21 is first clamped and grasped by the pickup bars 50 the latch becomes engaged, thus holding the pickup bars 50 in a pin grasping position so thatthe pin may be lifted from the alley bed. When the alley is cleared and the grid structure 20 moved down to reset the pin on the alley bed, the latch is again actuated as the pressure plate forces the actuating ring .40 and actuating collar 46 upwardly, and the latch is released. The straight upper portion of the slots Ma", Mb" and 42a,

42b" allows an over-travel to permit this release.

In each of the individual pickupunits described there is necessarily a dead pin area between the units in which a pin may stand where it will be beyond the reach of the pickup arms of any of the pickup units. In order to prevent the apparatus from descending on such a misplaced pin a dead area detector grid 10 is provided. This grid may be connected to electrical contacts (not shown) in the machine in such a manner that if any pin is knocked off spot a sufficient distance to be beyond the reach ofthe pickup arms and in the dead pin area, it will be contacted by this grid and an electric signal sent to stop the pin setting machine so that the pickup apparatus is not damaged. The dead area detector grid is supported from the bottom plate 2| by means of a plurality of pins as the pin H. This pin connection being spring loaded by a, spring 12 to permit movement between the detector grid and the balance ofthe apparatus in the event the pin strikes such gr-id. In Figs. 7,8 and 9 the pickup unit is shown in several positions as it goes through a cycle ofoperation. In Fig. '7 the apparatus is shown just as the trapdoors 3ia3 lb in the pressure plate 36 contact the head of a standing pin 2'! and start to clamp such pin to the alley bed. In this position the pressure plate 30 is at the bottom of its range of movement with respect to the frame, and the arms of each pair of pickup arms 50 are in withdrawn position substantially at right angles to each other. In the apparatus shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the pin is illustrated as being a substantial distance from its normal pin spot 28, since one of the'features of my apparatus is that it will handle such off spot pins and replace them in the same position on the alley bed from which they were taken.

In Fig. 8 the pressure plate has clamped the bowling pin to the alley bed, the frame carried by the grid structure 29 has continued its downward movement, and consequently the pressure plate has moved upwardly relative to said frame. In the course of this movement said pressure plate has contacted the actuating ring at), causing said ring also to move upwardly with respect to the frame, and the actuating pins 4'; have moved upwardly in the slots 41a", ill)" and 42a", 42?) causing the outer tubes to rotate in one direction and the inner tubes 42 to rotate in the opposite direction so'that the arms of each pair of pickup arms have revolved toward each other with a scissors-like action. In Fig. 8 one of the arms of each pair has contacted the neck of the pin so that the motion of these arms stops. However since the entire tube assembly is rotatable, the arms of each pair continue to move in until the arms of each pair straddle the neck of the standing pin and the latch 69 becomes engaged.

The entire apparatus may then be raised as shown in Fig. 9, the latch mechanism holding the pickup arms 59 in pin grasping position. Since the head end of a bowling pin is wider than the neck portion of said pin, as the apparatus moves upward the arms which straddle the neck of the pin contact the wider head portion of the pin and the pin is lifted from the alley bed. After the alley has been cleared the grid structure 20 is again lowered, pressure of the pin against the alley bed causes the pressure plate again to move upward with respect to the frame so that the latch 60 is disengaged, and as the grid structure 20 is again raised the weight of the pressure amazon plate together with the action of the actuating pins 47 in the-slots in-the tubes 41 and=42 causes the pickup bars 50 to revolve outwardly= until the bars of each pair are again at right-angles to each other.

I- claim:

1. Bowling pin pickup apparatus comprising,- in combination, a verticallyimovable frame hav ing-a vertical cut'outportion, two pairso'fhorizontal pickup bars each pair pivotally-mounted in horizontal planes of different-elevations on said frame for movement =-in their respectivehorizontal planes, 'thebars of each pair fleeing mounted on a common axis at o'pposite' points near the edge of said cutout portionand-extending into said out out -portion, means normally holding the :bars of each pair substantially at-a right angle to each other wherein'the bars of both pairs define a rectangle, and means'ror revolving the bars of each pair into parallelre lationship with each other to straddle the-neok of a standing pin.

2. Bowling pin pickup apparatus for-useina bowling alley comprising, a vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a closure in said cut out portion, said closurebeing vertically movable relative to-sa'idframe-and being operable to clamp a standing pin to the floor of a bowling alley, said frame and closure being movable to an-out of the way position, two

being mounted at opposite points nearthe-edge of said frame and extendinginto saidcutout portion, means holding the-bars of each-pairsub stantially at a right angle to -each-other,- and pin actuated means operable asa function of the relative movement between said closure and frame for revolving the bars of each-pair toward each other to straddle the neck of a standing pin.

3. Bowling pin pickup apparatus for use in a bowling alley comprising a vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a closure in said out out portion,'said closure being operable to clamp a standing pin to the floor of a bowling alley and being movable to-an out of the way position, gear and rack-means for mounting said closure on said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, two pairs-of horizontal pickup bars pivotally mounted on said frame below said closure for movement in -a horizontal plane, each pair of bars being mounted at opposite points near the edgeof said frame and-ex tending into said out out portions, means normally holding the bars of each pair substantially at a rightangle to each other, pin actuated means operable as a function of the relative movement between said closure andframe for revolving the bars of each pair toward each other to straddle the neck of a standing pin, and a latch for retaining said bars in a closed position during a pickup operation.

4. Bowling pin pickup apparatus for use in a bowlin alley comprising, a substantially rectangular vertically movable frame having a vertical central cutout portion, a substantially rectangu-- l-ar closure in said out out portion; said closure being operable to clamp standing p-ins to the floor of a bowling alley and being movable toan out of the "way position, a plurality of vertical rackscarried by said closure at the corners thereof, a plurality of gears carriedby said frame and engaging said racks, said racks-and gears supporting :said :closure upon :said .frame :for' ,relative' movement thereto, twopairs or horizontal pickup bars :pivotallymounted on said frame below said closure for movement in a horizontal plane, each pair of bars beingmounted at opposite points near=the edge of said frame and extending into said out out portion, means holding the-bars of each pair substantially :at a right angle to each other,- piniactuated means operable as a function of the relative movement between said closure and frame for revolving thebars of each pair to a -positionsubstantially parallel to each other to straddle the :neck of astanding pin, and alatch' for retaining said bars in .close'd position duringapickup operation. I

'5. Bowling pin pickupappara'tus comprising,- in combination, a vertically movable framehavinga vertical central cutout portion, a first tuberotatably mounted on said *frame," said tube having "a spiral slot therein and having a Y pickup bar mounted thereon, a second tube mounted on said frame coaxial with said first tube, said-second tube being rotatable with respect to said frame and=said first tube, and-having a spiral slot therein which is inclinedin' a direction opposite to said firstslot and having a pickup 'bar mounted thereonyan actuating member extendingthrough-the spiral slots in said tubes, said pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuating member is positioned at th'e ba'se- 'of said slots, and means' fo moving said-actuating member upwardly insaidslots to movethe-ba-rs to anopera'tive position;

6. Bowling pin pickup "apparatus comprising, inc-ombin'ation, a vertically movable name-me ing a vertical central cut out portion,-a-first-tube in which is incl-inedin-a directionopp'ositeto saidfirst slot and having another pickupbar mounted thereon, an actuating member extending throughthe spiral slots in saidtubes'said pickup'bars' beingin an inoperative withdrawn position when;

said actuating member positioned at the baseol said slots, and pin actuated means, for 'moving,

said actuating member upwardly in said slots to revolve the bars toward each othe-rto straddle-the;

neckof a pin.

'7. Bowling pin pickup apparatus oomprisinaiin. combination, a vertically ,movable V frameLh-avingl a vertical centralcut-out portion, a first outer tube ,rotatably mounted on said frame, said tube having .a spiral slot therein and having a pickup.

bar :mounted thereon, ,a first inner tube rot-atably mounted on said frame within said outer tube" said inner -tube.'being,.rotatable with respect to said outer tube-and havinga spiralfslot therein which is inclined ina direction opposite to said,

first slot and having another pickupbar mounted thereon, a second outer tube 'rotatably mounted.

' on said frame at'la point diametricallylopposite said .first outer. tube, said 'secondH-tube'flhaving ,a' spiral 'slot therein and having ,a pickup Lb/a'lfv mounted thereon, .a secondinner ,tube' r tatably mounted on said frame within saidseoond outer tube, said secondinner tube being rotatable with" respect to said second outer tube and having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a .direc-' tion opposite't-o the slot ins-aid second outer tube and having another pickup bar mounted thereon, a pair of actuating members, one of said members extending through the spiral slots in each pair of tubes and being rotatable about the axis of said tubes, both pairs of pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuating members are positioned at the base of their respective slots, and means for causing said actuating members to move upwardly in said slots in each pair of tubes, causing the bars of each pair to revolve towards each other to straddle the neck of a standing pin, the rotatable mounting of said tubes and actuating members providing a mounting whereby the bars of each pair may move unequal distances upon the blocked movement of any bar of any pair.

8. Bowling pin pickup apparatus for use in a bowling alley comprising, a substantially rectangular vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a closure in said out out portion, said clo-surebeing vertically movable relative to said frame and normally being operable to clamp a standing pin to the floor of a bowling alley, and "being movable to an out of the way positlon, a first outer tube rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent one corner thereof, said tube having a spiral slot therein, a first inner tube rota-tably mounted on said frame within said outer tube, said inner tube having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a direction opposite to said first slot, a sec-nd outer tube rotatably mounted on said frame adjacent an opposite corner thereof, said tube having a spiral slot therein, a second inner tube rotatably mounted on said frame within said second outer tube, said second inner tube having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a direction opposite to the slot in said second outer tube, two pairs of horizontal pickup bars, one of said bars being carried by each of said tubes below said closure, an actuating ring slidably mounted on said outer tubes above said closure and spaced therefrom, said ring having a central cut out portion, a pair of actuating members rotatably carried by said ring, one of said actuating members extending through the slots of each of said pairs of tubes, both pairs of pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuating members are positioned at the base of their respective slots, relative movement of said closure with respect to said frame causing said ring to slide upward on said tubes and causing the bars of each pair to revolve toward each I other to straddle the neck of a standing pin.

9. Bowlin pin pickup apparatus for use in a bowling alley comprising, a substantially rectangular vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a closure in said out out portion, said closure being operable to clamp a standing pin to the floor of a bowling alley, and being movable to an out of the way position, gear and rack means for mounting said closure on said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, a first tube rotatably mounted on said frame, said tube having a spiral slot therein and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, a second tube mounted on said frame within said first tube, said second tube being rotatable with respect to said frame and said first tube, and having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a direction opposite to said first slot and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, an actuating member extending through the spiral slots in said tubes and being rotatable about the axis of said tubes, said pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuating member is positioned at the base of said slots relative movement of said closure with respect to said frame causing said actuating 10 member to move upwardly in said slots and causing each bar to move to an operative position the rotatable mounting of said tubes and actuating member providing a pivotal mounting for the bars whereby each bar may move an unequal distance.

10. Bowling pin pickup apparatus for use in a bowling alley comprising, a substantially rectangular vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a closure in said out out portion, said closure being operable to clamp a standing pin to the fi-oor of a bowling alley, and being movable to an out of the way position, a plurality of vertical racks carried by said closure at the corners thereof, a plurality of gears carried by said frame and engaging said racks, said racks and gears supporting said closure upon said frame for relative movement thereto, a first outer tube rotatably mounted on said frame, said tube having a spiral slot therein and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, a first inner tube rotatably mounted on said frame within said outer tube, said inner tube having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a direction opposite to said first slot and having another pickup bar mounted thereon, a second outer tube rotatably mounted on said frame at a point opposite said first tube, said second tube having a spiral slot therein and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, a second inner tube rotata'bly mounted on said frame within said second outer tube, said second inner tube having a spiral slot therein which is inclined in a direction opposite to the slot in said second outer tube and having another pickup bar mounted thereon, an actuating ring slidably mounted on each of said outer tubes, said actuating ring having a central out out portion, a pair of actuating members rotatably carried by said ring, one of said members extending through the spiral slots in each pair of tubes, both pairs of pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuating members are positioned at the base of their respective slots, relative movement of said closure with respect to said frame causing said ring to slide upward on said tubes and causing the bars of each pair to revolve toward each other to straddle the neck of a standing pin.

11. Bowling pin pickup apparatus comprising, in combination, a vertically movable frame having a vertical central cut out portion, a first tube rotatably mounted on said frame, said tube having a spiral slot therein and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, said spiral slot extending across an angle of degrees on the periphery of said tube and having .a, vertically straight upper portion, a second tube mounted on said frame within and coaxial with said first tube, said second tube being rotatable with respect to said frame and said first tube, and having a spiral slot there,- in and having a pickup bar mounted thereon, the spiral slot in said second tube extending across an angle of 45 degrees on the periphery of said tube in a direction opposite to said first spiral slot and having a vertical straight upper portion, an actuating member extending through the spiral slots in said tubes and being rotatable about the axis of said tubes, said pickup bars being in an inoperative withdrawn position when said actuatin member is positioned at the base of said slots, and means for moving said actuating member upwardly in said slots to move said bars towards each other to straddle the neck of a standing pin, the rotatable mounting of said tubes and actuating member providing a pivotal mounting e for the bars whereby saidrbars may. move annnequal. distance;

- '12. -Bow1ing .pinpickup apparatus comprising, a" vertically: movable frame, a pairof Pickup. bars, efirst means for rotatably mounting each of said bars at one end thereof for movement about a common axison said frame; said bars being vspaeed at theirmounting :ends a distance-substantially-equal to the width of the neckof a standard bowlin pin, and seoond meansoperative atsaid axis for revolving-saidbars about said axis -froman inoperative position wherein said -bars extend at amen-gletoeach other to an-op- V enativevposition wherein said bars extend sub- .st-antia-lly parallel. to each. other, said. second v15 12 t means: permitting .unequaL. movement oflsaidxbars uponth'e *blocked movement of eitherofi said :bars.

GEORGE. A; MON'I OQTIL REFERENCES: CITED The: following :references. are 1 ofr: record 4 i'nsthe file's of: thiscpatent 2v UNITED STATES PATENTS Parr-a et a1. u--. LN-ov.. 3, 1942 

